PhD Assistantship
We are looking for a motivated Ph.D. student to work on an NSF-funded project to use the latest technology to link the fine scale movements of fox squirrels to equally fine-scaled environmental data collected by the Nation Ecological Observation Network (http://www.neoninc.org/). The student will use novel tracking devices to locate fox squirrel in three dimensions. They will then evaluate and model squirrel microhabitat selection by integrate weather patterns, seasonal changes vegetation and an unmatched array of environmental data. The chosen student will also be free to develop research on any number of questions about fox squirrel ecology, including but not limited to; behavioral and social interactions, foraging behaviors, response to predators and fear, competition with gray squirrels. Ultimately, this project will serve as an example of ecological advances that are possible through integration of modern animal tracking technology with data products generated by the NEON platform. This project is a collaborative effort between Dr. Mike Conner at the Jones Ecological Research Center (http://www.jonesctr.org/), and Dr. Bob McCleery at the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida (http://www.wec.ufl.edu/) who will jointly supervise the selected student. We will provide an assistantship covering salary ($20,000), tuition, and insurance for 4 years. Additionally, housing will be provided when the student is conducting field work at the Jones Center. We are looking for a self-motivated, independent student with a previous record of academic achievement and field experience. Applicants should have a minimum 3.2 GPA, greater than 1200 on the GRE (310 on the new scale) and considerable field experience. To apply, send a resume, GRE scores, transcripts, and a list of 3 references along with brief statements describing how you are prepared for PhD program and your career goals to Dr. Robert McCleery at [email protected] by October 15, 2015. We are looking for a student to start in January 2016 or earlier.
